I believe we need to stop being so ambiguous. The term children can be applied to -anyone-, as everyone is the child of their parents.
In terms of the age of consent, the age of consent in the U.S. varies from 16 to 18, with various close in age exceptions:
https://www.ageofconsent.net/states
The age of consent in the world varies from being married (which is not an age of consent at all) to 21 in Bahrain:
https://www.ageofconsent.net/world
Furthermore, I find it unfortunate that so little attention is paid to the issue of -informed- consent. I think that ideally, whether one can consent would be tied to whether or not someone is informed enough to do so in a healthy manner. This in turn could perhaps lead to some sort of certification of being informed, akin to needing a driver's license to drive. Another issue is the fact that while some acts could clearly be considered sexual, such as sex, others are highly ambiguous. Kisses and caresses can be good examples.
I also strongly believe that minors should receive comprehensive education not just on how babies are made, which is predominantly what I learned in sex ed.
I certainly think it's fair to warn of the dangers of sexual interactions, which I've come to believe is predominantly unwanted pregnancies and societal repercussions in starting sexual activities early in life, especially if one is below the age of consent and/or considering in a sexual activity with someone who is below the age of consent. Naturally, this means that every minor should be informed of the laws concerning the age of consent in their jurisdiction. I also think that it's crucial for minors to learn is how to engage in sexual healthy relationships once one is legally able to do so.
Finally, I think that l learning of sexual diversity (LQGBTQ) early is beneficial, especially for those who find themselves to be in that spectrum. I've made it clear in other posts that I have strong reservations of very young people undergoing surgery for sex changes. Fortunately, in general, transitioning isn't allowed until one is 18 years of age. According to an
abc articled I just skimmed, around 1% of trans people regret their decision, but if they're an adult I think they should be allowed to make this choice, just as adults are allowed to make many dangerous choices in life.
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